Richo's Farewell:Went last night and lucky enough to have my $350 ticket bought for me by a mate who owns has own business and took 10 of us mates and will ride it off as a tax receipt. Thanks Ridge.
Rocked up in a bus at about 6:30 for when the doors opened at 7pm. Stood around in the foyer, Simon Jones was walking round interviewing a few guests about Richo possibly for the Footy Show.
Few players rocked up. Jake King and, Nahas and Foley by themselves and then a posse of Nason, Edwards, Martin, Deledio and Cotchin who all seemed in a really good mood having a laugh. Graham then rocked up and then the doors opened and we went in.
Tables were set up like the GF Footy show in the ground floor with a stand behind us. The front tables were Richo and Richo's family and friends. The left back side were player and officials that came and the right back where the members and guests. Couldn't believe our luck when we were in the middle, our table the table next to the players. In front of us were Craig Cameron/Tony Free and Wayne Campbell rocked up and sat down. To our left Cousins rocked up early with his partner and was the first player sat to our left. Luke McGuane came with his partner (Who has an amazing rig
) and then a big group of players was seated to our other left with Nason, Collins, Deledio, Cotchin, Tuck, Martin and Edwards. Chris Newman rocked up last with his partner (by far the hottest of the bunch, he's done real well) and sat next to Cousins. Riewoldt then rocked up and got a few jeers from the boys and he looked embarrassed lol.
On each table were a set of limited addition Richo cards from every season he's played and a portrait of each season. Pretty good quality stuff. Red and White wine ready with Premium Beer... Gippsland Beer
Was pretty dirty on this.. Plus they weren't twist top and needed a waiter to open every beer I drank. Annoying. On each table was a signed jersey by Richo. To win it you had to win the table raffle. We all were mates so we just bought 1 ticket and drew a short straw who got it. Tables that were mixed with different people this could have gotten ugly lol.
Gary March started off proceedings and welcomed everyone and gave a huge wrap to Richo etc.
Sandy Roberts hosted to the night and was first class. The formal proceedings started with people from Richos life being interviewed by Sandy Roberts.
Video testaments:Peter Knights: Said some kind words about Richo as a junior and how he's really proud to have helped him in any way and wishes him the best.
Robert Walls: Wished him all the best and said whenever he sees the Nylex Clock near punt road he thinks of Richo because when ever Walls was talking in a team meeting he'd always see Richo looking at the Nylex clock and counting down how long it was till Walls was finished.
Danny Frawley: Classy speech. Gave a huge wrap to Richo and also mentioned most of the grey hairs in his head are a testament to him lol. Spoke real well.
Sam Newman: Got stuck in straight away about him going to Channel 7 and wished him all the best with his new Footy Show and then apologized that he forgot it got canned (Good laugh). Got on the front foot and labelled Richo as a legend of the game and a legend of a person.
Then it was time for some stage interviews:
Richo's Mum and Sister:Talked about his younger years. Richo's mum Diane (I think) seemed like a lovely woman. His sister was very funny and had some great stories or Richo trying to pick up her friends when they'd come over (very big laugh)
Benny Gale: Admitting to loving Richo. On the first day he came back he was wearing a suit and saw Richo for the first time in a while and shook his hand. They both thought that was too formal and had a cuddle instead. He said the one thing he had sleepless nights about when taking the CEO job was the decision he would have to make about Richo's career eventually. He was glad he didn't have to make any decision and that Richo rightfully so got to make his mind up. He's the best player he's ever played with and wrapped he's still involved at the club and is one of his best mates. He said he's very much like his mum and over organises things. His first day back at the club in his new role he rocked up in a suit and briefcase. Came into his office opened up his briefcase that had everything from pen and pencils to a calculator and a protractor (big laugh). His first thing on his agenda was the most detailed work his ever seen. A minute by minute fully layed out structure and form of his testimonial night (Big laugh).
Wayne Campbell: Probably the best speaker on the night. Just spoke very well, mixed with good banter and praise. Some funny stories about how he hated Richo because he found it so easy to pick up chicks cause everyone knew him as a footballer. Wayne told of a story where he went to his future wife’s place for dinner and he saw a big poster of Richo on her pinboard and he just gave up and accepted Richo was the man.
Glenn Archer:Huge effort for Glenn to come and speak, surprised Richo. Glenn said Richo was the best forward he'd seen in his playing time, behind Wayne Carey and thinks he only bet him once 1on1. Funny story of when David King used to sledge Richo and Richo had 5 goals at half time and Glenn in the rooms belted him to stop sledging him and just shut up lol.
Ben Harrison, Nathan Brown and Joel Bowden:
Really funny skit. Harro got stuck into Richo for hooking up with his girlfriend in year 10. Said that every time he got dropped from the seniors Richo would come up to him and say "I've talked to TJ, don't worry you'll be back" Harro said he hated it but thanks as that’s the type of bloke he was.
Nathan Brown's comedy routine was a bit cheesy but funny. Very Nathan Brown. Got stuck into Jake King for being 2ft 3 and Richo 6ft 6 but King would consistency beat Richo in wrestling in the pools when they warmed down. Richo blamed the gravitational pull in the water. He also let the cat out of the bag that for how fit Richo is he smokes about a pack a week and it baffle shim how he's so fit lol.
Joel spoke really well and just thanked Richo for his friendship on and off the field and short and sweetly said that he deserved all the praise he gets tonight as much as it embarrasses him and no1 deserves the hero status from the supporters more than Richo does as he just loves them as much as they love him.
Richo got up to a standing ovation. For the first time I've seen looked really nervous and star struck. May have had a few too many drinks I don't know. Thanked everyone for coming and signalled out his family and best mates, in particular Harro. Thanked the club and every player he'd ever played with and apologized for cracking the poos at anyone. He wished the playing group all the best and our future is bright. He also mentioned that it's not a testimonial and the club gets 100% of all the profits and said have a good night to a big cheer.
Gary March presented Richo with a big Tiger plaque framed of him and the name of every player he's played with.
Jon Stevens came out and no1 payed any attention and mingled and had a peak at the silent auction which had Richo's 1996 State of Origin Jumper signed. Other memorabilia that was being bidded on way over priced but the audience could afford it.
Jon Stevens finally left (He was ok but just was pointless) and an auctioneer came out and auctioned off the Painting of Richo. Went for $55,000... Other items were auctioned off at big money prices. The club would have made an absolute killing.
Jade McCrae and her band were next and were actually pretty good. Richo got up and sang with her for a few songs and got most people interested and had a dance. I even got up lol
By about 11:30 the players started to leave for Crown I presume and I left at about 12 the band still going.
Throughout the night the players did their best to adhere to all requests with a ton of people wanting photos. I can't explain how annoying this would have been but a credit to them all they did it with smiles of their faces. Some were better than others. Chris Newman was noticeably very friendly and approachable. Trent Cotchin was swamped and was pretty classy walked to the other side of the room to take photos with a group that couldn't get to the players as it was too busy.
The players in attendanceAstbury
Collins
Cotchin
Cousins
Deledio
Edwards
Farmer
Foley
Graham
Jackson
King
Martin
McGuane
Moore
Nahas
Nason
Newman
Riewoldt
Simmonds
Tambling
Thursfield
Tuck
Webberley
White.
No Hardwick (that I could see) Polak, McMahon, Morton.
Past Player I saw:
Kane Johnson
Nathan Brown
Joel Bowden
Ben Harrison
Matthew Allen (Carl/Ess)
Kayne Pettifer
Personally had a chat with Nason and Nahas who are both down to earth level headed guys. Edwards is a real happy bloke as is Tambling. Few players at the end of the night clearly had enough and I don't blame them. Poor old Dustin Martin hardly had a spare second all night and the poor kid looked like he was trying to hide in big groups of players and was never off walking alone lol, by the end of teh night he was looking pretty distressed, would like the club to look after our players a bit more, there were a few die hard supporters that took things to far. The club shoudl have organised for photo opportunities and signatures before the night so everyone had a chance to get there stuff signed. It looked tacky seeing dozens of people interrupt conversations and meals to get posters and jerseys signed.
Had a brief chat to Chris Newman who after tonight I'm sold on keeping at the club. I know I've talked a bit on whether Chris could be traded for a decent pick to keep his currency in a form of a high draft pick but Chris is just Richmond through and through.
Had a chat to Ben Cousins and his partner, Ben has his knockers but ge the guy speaks well, very very very relaxed guy. Was good enough to give up his time and have a chat and shake my hand. He's just a cruisey guy and was real good company.
Thats about it. For those that wanted to know, some players were drinking. McGuane and Farmer looked to be hitting the beers well. Newman, Cousins, Deledio, Astbury and Cotchin all were on the waters.
Overall really good night. $350 a ticket.. I feel bad saying it wasn't worth $350 but the dinner was ordinary and the beer was cheap Gippsland brew. The club would struggle to argue it was worth a $350 tag. Still a good night, however I didn't pay $350 for the night and if I did I think I would have been pretty disappointed in the price.
